Electrochemical Methods for Exploiting Low-Temperature Heat Sources: Challenges in Material Research

The exploitation of renewable low temperature heat sources below 100 degrees C can significantly contribute to the transition to a low-carbon economy, in particular if applied to small and household scale. The scientific community has taken on the challenge to develop alternative techniques for the exploitation of such sources. Several innovative methods have been recently proposed; among them, many are based on electrochemistry. Here, the various techniques are discussed and a general thermodynamic analysis that allows to compare the performances and to identify the most promising technique is provided. The thermodynamic analysis is then extended to find the possible research lines in material science that could lead to improvements of the performances of the various techniques.

Automated summary

The exploitation of renewable low temperature heat sources below 100 degrees C could make a significant contribution to the transition to a low-carbon economy, especially in small and household applications. The scientific community has developed alternative techniques, many of which are based on electrochemistry. This study discusses these techniques, provides a thermodynamic analysis to compare their performances, and explores possible research lines in material science for further improvements.